What is Po-Hi?

Po-Hi is the familiar term for Ponca City Senior High School, which teaches tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students on its campus of five major buildings (the one pictured above is the main one) located toward the center of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Its graduating class tends to number slightly over 300. Its mascot is a wildcat and its colors are red and blue.

Campus history

The following information comes from the Po-Hi alumni directory.

Ponca City, Oklahoma, was founded near the Arkansas River on September 16, 1893, at the opening of the Cherokee Strip (known as The Land Run of 1893). Ponca City is located approximately 15 miles south of the Kansas stateline.

The history of Ponca City High reflects a steady growth:

• November 16, 1893: After organizing itself, the City of Ponca City builds its first school, a two-room building at the current Mid-High School (formerly East Junior High School) location. Students graduate after the eleventh grade.
• 1907: Students begin graduating after the twelfth grade.
• August 18, 1926: Ponca City passes a $330,000 bond to purchase the current Po-Hi campus from E W Marland and Marland Oil Co.
• January 30, 1928: The three-story Ponca City High School, known as ``the building on the hill'', opens its doors to 500 students and 22 teachers.
• 1937: Earl Sullins Stadium (formerly the Blaine Stadium) is built.
• 1939: The fieldhouse (now the Old Girls' Gym) is added to the campus.
• 1946: The building on the hill becomes the Charles P Howell building.
• 1962: Building C, now named the Homer Anderson Building, is built.
• 1975: The Dr Allen Robson Field House and the Fine Arts Building are built.
• 1996: An extension to the Howell building replaces the shop building.